Hog producers get a federal boost

The federal government has given the Canadian pork industry a significant financial boost.

In May the feds announced an investment of more than $15 million to go toward research, traceability and product development.

The aim is to make the pork industry more competitive and help deliver a better profit back to the farm gate and strengthen the industry for the future.

Gerry Ritz, Agriculture minister, made the announcement in Winnipeg, adding, “Our government is dedicated to helping the pork industry not only recover, but also grow and capture new markets.”

“These investments will build competitive advantages for our pork producers through research and development, through a strong traceability program and through the development of a premium product.”

The feds’ investment will support four projects, which include:

• $9.5 million for the Swine Cluster to bring together industry, government and scientists to address the research and development priorities of pork producers, including food safety, meat quality and feed input issues;
• $3.3 million for the Canadian Pork Council to strengthen the national swine traceability system, which is designed to track the movement of hogs across the country;
• $1.4 million for the Canadian Swine Exporters Association to promote pork in international markets through market development, brand building and industry-to-industry trade promotion; and
• $839,480 for the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement to develop methods to predict marbling in hogs through better technology, genetics and feed, and to promote marbling as a major quality trait for domestic and international markets.

“These projects will get ideas off the drawing board and into the market where they can help our pork producers, processors and exporters improve margins, distinguish their product in the market and grow demand,” said Jean-Pierre Blackburn, minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture) who made the announcement simultaneously from Quebec City.